Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts by Mitzi Szereto

Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts

By Mitzi Szereto

I was provided a copy of the book by the author for a fair and honest review

Book Blurb:

Imagine that Jane Austen had written the opening line of her satirical novel Pride and Prejudice this way: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a good romp and a good wife — although not necessarily from the same person or from the opposite sex." In Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts Mr. Darcy has never been more devilish and the seemingly chaste Elizabeth never more turned on.

The entire cast of characters from Austen's classic is here in this rewrite that goes all the way. This time Mr. Bingley and his sister both have designs on Mr. Darcy's manhood; Elizabeth's bff Charlotte marries their family's strange relation and stumbles upon a secret world of feminine relations more to her liking; and, in this telling, men are not necessarily the the only dominating sex. And of course there's some good old fashioned bodice ripping that shows no pride or prejudice and reveals hot hidden lusts in every page-turning chapter.

I finished Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts a few days ago (now a week ago by the time I’ve gotten around to updating my draft) and this is the longest I think it has ever taken me to write a review after I’ve finished a book. I’m stumped on how to rate this book or for that matter, how to properly review Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts without a bunch of spoilers. Since most people I know would have read the original masterpiece by Jane Austen, I think people will want to know what makes this book different and what exactly is the Hidden Lust version all about. 

Have I read erotica before? Of course! Have I read romantic comedies before? Of course! I have I read an erotic romantic comedy before? No. I can’t say as I have. I giggled, laughed and smiled all through Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts. I dare you to picture Lady Catherine de Bough wielding a horse whip or Mr. Collins losing a front tooth while performing oral sex (on another man no less) and not crack a smile.

Mitzi Szereto has taken one of the most revered story of all time and modified each of the characters in an exaggerated new character form. Did you think a certain female character in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was a bit bossy? Well chances are that same character is dominatrix in the Hidden Lust version.  The story plot and flow was fantastic but was it so because it followed along an existing fantastic original by Jane Austen?

This erotic adaptation is not as extreme as Anne Rice’s version of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty and for me it focused more on character adaptations. The “acts” themselves were often humourous if not ridiculous and lighter hearted. I was comfortable reading all about a character fantasizing over the porn of the era and finding a new creative way to use squash and I even giggled over the consequences of gypsy potions. But I just couldn’t get past my precious Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth acting out in the manner it was written. I wanted to save them for one single spectacular love making session at the end of the book and after they were married. Call me old fashion (I have no idea who would ever call me old fashion) but I still just wanted to protect the sanctity of that couple.

So now I have circled back with a rating. I was entertained and I did enjoy the book but I could only read Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts in small doses. For me it was not a sit down and devour it type of book.  I read this book more like it was a comical erotic fan fiction of Pride and Prejudice but with a professional flair because the writing is very good. Reviewing the definitions of my own personal ratings system I created for my book review blog, I am satisfied with a 3.5 as I feel it fits the bill. I think if you  really love the original, you'll get quite a kick out of this version.

Teasers- birch switch, generous servants, apple bra, and late night interludes